Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Architecture and Real Estate - how do these 2 work together

A lot of people ask how I incorporate my architecture background with our Real Estate Business. So here's the explanation.


I graduated with a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Miami, and hence all the Hurricane stuff you see me with. I worked with a couple of big firms both locally and abroad and then started my own architecture firm doing additions and remodelings in Miami Shores. I did several projects, including the design of the Brockway Memorial LibraryMiami Shores, and always helped friends visualize the potential of homes before buying them.

addition in

That's when the vision of my business was born. If so many of my own friends had benefited from my architectural consulting services prior to purchasing a home, wouldn't it be ideal if I had a Real Estate License and offer those same services to potential customers? (the answer was a really LOUD YES!!!)

As a buyer, when working with me, you will gain from having free architectural consulting at your fingertips. Finding the "perfect home" is no easy task, properties will need some work and some changes most of the time. Whether it is to open a kitchen out to a family room or to "formalize" a dining room, or to add a Master Suite to a property, I will sit down with you and help identify your needs. I will then sketch out numerous schematics and will come up with a conceptual plan. Having worked in the field and built additions, I will be able to estimate the cost of construction and will then lead you to an architect or design professional that can finalize the plans.

I will also assist buyers with other design consulting aspects like materials and color selection as well as furniture arrangement. My enthusiasm is endless when it comes to design.

As a seller, the advantages are endless. I will ask that you acquire floor plans of your properties (most cities will have floor plans and are easy to order); I will have those floor plans ready to show any prospective buyers. I will also help you identify any weaknesses in the current design of your property and will accentuate all the positive features.

I will help sellers stage their properties with a very detailed list of suggestions that is customized to each property. I will even help you hire the right construction professionals to prepare your home for showings (like floor refinishers, carpenters, painters, etc.). A lot of our customers are absentee owners and we take care of the coordination of these jobs for them.

Having a passion for architecture and for helping people visualize the potential of a property is what makes my job so much fun. My customers will tell you how I light up when I see a good space (they will also tell you what my reaction is when I visit "butchered homes"), how I will go out of my way to make their dream a reality within their financial parameters. I am an architect by profession, but a Realtor by trade, the combination of these is what we offer to our customers in unmatched service.

Thanks Ardell for inspiring me to write this.

For more information about RICK & INES and their services, please visit http://www.miamism.com

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you Ines! My previous field helps me assist my clients with finance issues better.

We all have that little something that adds to our toobox. Thanks for revealing yours in detail. It's a great asset to your clients.

Ardell

Rick & Ines said...

Thanks for asking me to put it out there Ardell - these ideas sometimes have to hit you over the head with a 4x4 before they really hit you!

Rick & Ines said...

Thanks Freddie - I appreciate you stopping by!

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